TOKYO vs OSAKA: Which Japanese Metropolis Should YOU Visit?

Which city is better for first time visitors to Japan: Tokyo or Osaka? Tokyo and Osaka are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan. Both cities offer a wide variety of attractions, from historical sites to world-class museums to vibrant nightlife. However, there are also some key differences between the two cities that may make one a better choice for your trip than the other. So if you can only visit one, Tokyo or Osaka, which should it be?

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[FlameMirage]

I love Osaka, Tokyo has more to do, but Osaka and Kyoto are amazing!

[seandavie]

I just spent 17 days in Tokyo. Awesome city, as is Osaka. Yes, the public transport is initially a little daunting, however, after a day or too, and using the excellent Google maps, it's an absolute breeze. And this is from a mature gentleman's perspective, who has never really used public transport except when on holidays. The Keisei Skyliner is also a very quick option to commute from Toyko to Narita Airport. It takes just 41 minutes.

[nobeanchili]

Been to both, don’t care if I ever go back to Tokyo, but I’m going back to Osaka in May.

[towada]

So many people in Tokyo were never raised there .... Osaka people are more sincere and open ...

[WanderlustWellman]

Great video! I would say I’d prefer the analogy that Tokyo is like NYC and Osaka is like Chicago - both big cities with solid public transportation but Chicago is smaller, famous for its regional food, and even has the Chicago River cutting through the downtown the same way the Dotonbori River does.

[DAZABPRA]

Japanese here Im from Osaka if you want more like people and others Tokyo but Osaka is Peasefull I think osaka is better

[pi]

Just back from two weeks in Japan:
- Osaka (1 day/arrival)
- Nara (1 day)
- Kyoto (2 days)
- Miyajima (1 day)
- Hiroshima (1 day)
- Tokyo (4 days)
- Nikko, Kammakura, Fuji (1 day each)
- (Stop at Himeji on the trip from Hiroshima to Tokyo)

I can’t confirm the hotel prices. Yes, I didn’t go for the luxury hotels (think three were like local, one was Best Western) and June isn’t the most popular time, but still normal hotels (no capsule this time) and ended up paying around 660€ (720$). Which means I paid like 50$ less for 13 nights in Japan (7 of those in Tokyo) than I paid for 6 nights in NYC (LES, also nothing fancy with mid-March not really high season). If it wasn’t for crazy flight rates, I’d take that deal anytime

I know, June isn’t ideal, I got humidity, a bit of May grey and June gloom. And one heavy (and one light) a shower. But still a nice trip.

I guess the Haneda-expierence heavily depends on the airline. I was flying AirFrance and it was pretty poor. The JAL lounge was very nice, but other than that… phew. Boarding delayed twice (second delay announced so late, I was already at the gate with the masses… tell me in time, and I’ll just wait in the lounge), a gate that was way too small for a Boeing 777, no lines for boarding zones to organize the crowd (had that at Narita the last time (although that was 2019, so… long time). And then boarding via bus. Who boards a Boeing 777 by bus!? The long taxiing time that followed was just the icing on the cake of terrible.

Also: AirFrance‘ Premium Economy. CDG-KIX in an A350 and HAN-CDG in a 777; not 2-4-2, luckily I was one of the two 2s. But either way:
Rather disappointing. I guess the name should have been a clear message; just like a tablecloth is a certain type of cloth, but not a certain type of a table, Premium Economy is a certain kind of Economy, not of premium. And that goes for basically everything:
Food and drink was just normal Economy. I get it, especially that you don’t want to offer Premium Eco the same flatrate for „premium“ drinks (e.g. Jack Daniel‘s Old No 7 - lol) for the entire flight. But just a slightly nicer meal maybe? And a welcome drink? Or snack? A first impression that would go a long way, I’d say. But they skipped the first impression. Service itself wasn’t an upgrade from Eco let alone the attention I a got on my occasional Business Class flight. There also wasn’t an additional round of drinks or snacks.

Also: AirFrance needs to reconsider how they provide infrastructure for Premium Economy. If I got it right, Premium Eco is not supposed to use Business Class restrooms. So on the Airbus A350, Premium Eco is the furthest away from a toilet; on the Boeing 777, there was a toilet right behind Premium Eco.
On both planes, Premium Eco was the furthest away from the snack bar (in the very rear) and of course, just as with meals and drinks, nothing premium or additional for Premium Eco. (Ok, they later also had a snack station in the middle, but not between Eco and Premium, but front Eco and back Eco - so still the furthest way for Premium, eventhough it got shorter)
Is that the appropriate comfort for the passengers in the second highest (yes I’m ignoring La Premier and I know the „second highest“ from three is just the middle) price segment?

Finally, the seats. Seats are obviously better than the normal ones. However more reclining capability means that the person in front of me can invade what I consider my space (as I have it in the default position of the seat) even more. Yes, I can pass that on by reclining myself, but gain less comfort from reclining myself compared to what I lose when the person in front of me reclines.
But even the wide and more reclineble seats to help me much for sleep (6'2 side sleeper).
Would I book Premium Eco again? Well, this time out wasn’t much more expensive than Eco, but as long as the flight isn‘t longer than 6-8h, probably not, as I already get lounge access and extra baggage from my frequent traveler status.

However, I did like the Bluetooth connection for my private headphone. Maybe I just missed it previously, but I feel like this is the first time I didn’t need to get a cable to connect to the on board entertainment.

[darrylk]

Many countries have contrasting cities with one more tourist friendly and another more gritty or working class. Edinburgh/Glasgow, Lisbon/Porto, Dublin/Belfast, Tokyo/Osaka, etc.
Takoyaki as omiyage? Isn't it supposed to be eaten fresh and hot?
Tokyo has the most Michelin star restaurants.
Japan is sparkling clean. Went to Chinatown and it was the cleanest Chinatown ever. Told my wife if I dropped a dumpling on the sidewalk I would pick it up and eat it. No other Chinatown would I do that! 😂
I recommend the Marriott at the Nagoya train station. Best lounge ever! Like eating at the Wicked Spoon! Big selection of food all served in little sample pans.

[virtualtouru]

never been to osaka but will visit tokyo next month and im very excited!!

[NostalgiaMan]

Sorry i missed tonight. Love the streams

[ChrisWilliamsLS]

We are just now starting to plan a 2-3 week vacation in Japan. Thank you for your efforts and your guidance.

[justjoy]

Planning a trip to Japan October 2023. Traveling with my son to celebrate his 18th birthday! He is sooo in love with Japanese culture and has even managed to learn the language. Not fluent yet but really good. Needless to say, I have been bingeing your videos. THANK YOU!

Question. Is a tour guide worth it in Tokyo? Would we be okay just up and waking around ourselves or would a tour make sense for day 1 in Tokyo?

I’m thinking 4 days and 3 nights in Tokyo. Then take that fancy bullet train to Osaka. Plan is to be in Osaka ON his birthday.

Best route from Shinjuku station to Osaka..Any suggestions would be helpful.

I’m just a super nervous single mom wanting to give my son a memorable 18th birthday. 😅😊

Thaaank you.

[mr.sushi]

Next time I go to Japan I’m going to Osaka and probably Kyoto. First time I went to Tokyo. Every trip I want to try a different region

[OverSoft]

I’m currently in Osaka and will be in Tokyo this afternoon.
I’ve been a few times to both awesome cities.

The vibe is very different, Osaka is a bit more “real”, bit more grimy, has a bit more character than “perfect Tokyo”.
But both are very fun to visit!

And Tokyo has Disney, but Osaka has Universal (with their excellent Super Nintendo world, which I visited yesterday).

[jonathansakura]

Just do both
Its super easy when Japan is an hour flight lol
I took the ferry actually from Busan to Fukuoka this week it was epic 😊
Greetings from korea 🇰🇷 😊

[youngdark]

I flew into Tokyo, left from Osaka awesome trip 2019.

[christopherm]

Princess always looks so happy and engrossed. She loooks like she loves to travel.

[jeffreyrobens]

In Tokyo, some trains become the metro. For example, I live in Kawasaki (just south of Tokyo). The Keikyu Line (above-ground train) turns into the Asakusa Line (subway) around Shinagawa. So, this can make it a bit more confusing... It's fine once you get used to it (as I live here). But for tourists, it can be challenging sometimes.

[tubby_]

You always stream during the most inconvenient times for me 😭😭😭

[tommek]

Haven‘t seen the stream yet but I suggest to visit both cities. With the Shinkansen it‘s a no-brainer.